Heir conditioning: turning up the Jewish volume
By Rabbi Judy Chessin, Temple Beth Or
and Chair, Dayton Synagogue Forum

The Synagogue 3000 movement — a not-for-profit institute dedicated to revitalizing synagogue life in North America — has proposed the concept of "Jewish volume."

Rather than measuring Jewish commitment based upon affiliation, ritual observance, or communal involvement, we can measure Jewishness based upon the impact our heritage has on our daily lives.

A high Jewish volume might indicate that Judaism plays a significant role in our home, social, professional and personal life, whereas a low Jewish volume means it does not.

Most of us are attuned at a mid-range volume, with Judaism playing a small part in some but not all aspects of our lives, or perhaps a large part in one or two areas of our lives.

Many of us find that during a significant life cycle, personal or historical milestone, our Jewish volume increases dramatically, as with a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

An entire year goes into preparing, tutoring, learning, studying and planning. Then, after the thank-you notes are written, and our event is wrapped up, the volume goes back down to "normal."

Even the simple act of driving to religious school, preparing for a wedding, or considering a trip to Israel in the distant future might significantly increase our Jewish volume.

Thankfully, we can turn up or down the Jewish volume at differing points in our lives. Consider how low our Jewish volume might have been in college; but once we had children, it seems to be running full blast!

Most Jews find that a higher Jewish volume contributes to their and their family’s sense of well-being.

A healthy dose of Judaism can provide a sense of rootedness, spirituality, meaning and connection to one another, our community, our people and our God.

Large numbers of Jews feel most comfortable with a volume of only High Holy Day attendance and carpooling children to religious school.

Yet this volume may not suffice to have real and lasting Jewish impact on our day-to-day lives.

While synagogues can convey information and warm feelings for the Jewish faith, attendance alone may not impart identity, values, life-skills, appreciation for tradition and an organic sense of what it means to be a Jew.

Seemingly insignificant things in our home and in our life can up the volume and supplement all that we do.

Play Jewish music, have friends over for a festive Sabbath meal and light candles, read a Jewish novel or periodical, learn to make challah or hummus, or attend a Jewish cultural event.

These are simple ways to turn up our Jewish volume this summer, for a better, more connected and meaningful Jewish year.

In the season of air-conditioning, turning up our Jewish volume might also help with "heir-conditioning" as well as bring us and our children meaning, joy, and fulfillment this summer and in the coming year.